Episcopal Diocese of Alabama ready to elect new bishop

On the ballot for the new Episcopal Diocese of Alabama bishop are, clockwise from top left, the Rev. Clare Fischer-Davies, the Rev. Kenneth L. Chumbley, the Rev. William Charles 'Chuck' Treadwell and Suffragan Bishop John McKee 'Kee' Sloan. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

There's an election today to pick the next bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, and the four candidates include a woman priest at a church in Rhode Island and a suffragan bishop who would only need to move down the hall.

The Rev. Clare Fischer-Davies, rector of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Providence, R.I., could make history as the first woman to be Episcopal bishop of Alabama.

Or a familiar face, the Rev. Kee Sloan, now serving as suffragan bishop of the diocese, could be elevated from an assistant-level bishop to the head of the diocese.

The Rev. Kenneth L. Chumbley, rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Mo., and the Rev. William Charles Treadwell III, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Waco, Texas, will also be on the ballot. Clergy and lay delegates from around the diocese will gather at Cathedral Church of the Advent today for a 12:30 p.m. communion service, with voting expected to start at 2 p.m. and be done by 4 p.m.

The Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley, who became bishop co-adjutor in 1996 and took over as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama in 1999, will be retiring at the end of this year. A consecration service for the new bishop is planned for Jan. 7 at Cathedral Church of the Advent.

One of the jobs of the next bishop will be to travel, officiating at confirmations at the 91 churches in the diocese, and taking part in national church business at meetings of the House of Bishops and at General Conventions.

Parsley's travels have included flying to international meetings such as the Lambeth Conference in England, along with driving the country highways of the South.

"I've probably traveled 350,000 miles by automobile, 500,000 or 600,000 in the air," said Parsley. "I've probably traveled almost a million miles serving in this ministry as bishop. I've had to learn the backroads of Alabama. We have some of the most beautiful churches in the Episcopal Church."

The candidates have filled out extensive questionnaires and met with hundreds of Episcopalians in person at a "walkabout" on June 25 to answer questions about their views on ministry.

Sloan, who was rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Huntsville from 1993-2007 before he was consecrated as suffragan bishop in 2008, said he's had to be careful to stay out of direct involvement as the election approaches.

"It's an odd thing to have a sitting bishop in the process," Sloan said. "I think it's been a little awkward, but I think everyone's handled it lovingly. I'm honored to offer myself and tickled to be nominated. We'll see what's going to happen."

Parsley will preach and conduct the Holy Communion service today; Sloan will sit in the pews with his family.

"We do it very clearly in the context of worship and prayer," Parsley said. "It's a spiritual discernment. It's not a political process."

Sloan said he did not want to be up on the altar right before the election, looking like a candidate campaigning for office.

"If it seems right for the church to elect me as diocesan bishop I'll do the best I can," Sloan said. "If it seems better for the church to elect somebody else I'll do what I can to support that person. I really do mean that."

Parsley said he expects the transition to be smooth with Sloan either continuing as suffragan bishop or taking over his job.

"There's no guarantee he'll be the one elected," Parsley said. "He knows that's a possibility. He's prepared to serve with whoever's elected."

Parsley said he has tried to remain publicly neutral.

"It's not my role to choose my successor," Parsley said. "We pray for God through the Holy Spirit to lead us through this process."

Both Parsley and Sloan do plan to vote today along with other clergy.

"I have an obligation to take my part in this and vote," Sloan said. "I'm ready to trust God."

Parsley said he won't disclose who he plans to vote for.

Whoever is elected, the 108 other diocesan bishops and standing committees of the Episcopal Church will have to give their consent and approval.

"It's important," Parsley said. "Bishops are elected to serve the whole church."

Parsley said he plans to remain in the Birmingham area after retirement, but will stay out of the way of the new bishop.

"It's a privilege for me to have served as bishop here," Parsley said. "I will be cheering for my successor. It's a sacred, joyful occasion to raise up a new bishop for the church. I hope he or she will be as blessed as I have been."